Medical Bulletin 25/September/2023

The study, involving 387,672 participants of British White ancestry, utilized an observational approach alongside Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. The participants were divided into a discovery cohort and a validation cohort, with the latter, used for analyses. The research aimed to evaluate the link between these different adiposity measures and all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality, including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, and other causes.

Reference: Khan I, Chong M, Le A, et al. Surrogate Adiposity Markers and Mortality. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334836. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34836

Ultra-processed foods, particularly artificial sweeteners linked to increased risk of Depression

A recent study conducted among middle-aged women has found that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is associated with a higher risk of depression. UPF, which includes energy-dense, ready-to-eat items, has long been associated with various health issues, but its link to depression has been relatively unexplored.

The cohort study, conducted between 2003 and 2017, involved middle-aged females who were initially free of depression. The study, which adhered to STROBE reporting guidelines, analyzed data from 31,712 participants. It revealed that those with high UPF intake had greater BMI, higher smoking rates, and an increased prevalence of comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. They were also less likely to exercise regularly.

Reference: Samuthpongtorn C, Nguyen LH, Okereke OI, et al. Consumption of Ultraprocessed Food and Risk of Depression. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334770. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34770